Turbo not working properly + stalling? Audi A3 1.8T 2001

[sparx]

Hi,

I have been having a couple of problems with my A3 which I think is related to the turbo although I could be wrong.

Basically, sometime when I start the car up the revs start to dip below 1000 and the car almost starts to stall. When I set off like this (after getting the revs up) I can put my foot down, there's no power and it stalls immediately. Also if I manage not to stall, the car seems to have no acceleration at all.

Secondly when I am accelerating I can hear a pronounced whooshing sound which I thought could be a loose pipe connected to the turbo, but I recently had it serviced and mentioned this to the garage. They said they had checked the connections to the turbo - all fine, and they couldn't replicate the other problem of stalling either.

The problem with the stalling part is that it's intermittent and sod's law dictates if I take it in to be looked at again it won't do it whilst it's there.

Not even sure if the 2 problems are related?

Any ideas?

Many thanks in advance.

Jamie

 

[sparx]

No clues?

If anyone has an A3 turbo around 2001, do you hear a whooshing sound when accelerating?

Thanks.

 

[reptor245]

mine did something similair to that. when i floored it just over 3000rpm, when the turbo kicked in. the car would sink down and slow down and all i could here was whooshing from lost air coming from the front drivers side wing. Turned out to the turbo hose lose were it meets the intercooler. just check the jubilee clip on the inner wing behind the front drivers side wheel. mine had come lose.

 

[sparx]

OK but when checking it today I am having this problem before the turbo even kicks in from 1000-2000 revs.

Had a really good listen as I was driving, definitely sounds like air escaping as I accelerate - but if the turbo only kicks in at 3000 revs then it can't be that?

Any other ideas as to what the whooshing sound would indicate? What would cause a car to idle and stall intermittently - there must be a few theories out there?

Thanks

 

[Shy19s]

A turbo just doesnt decide its 3000rpm and magically turns on, it needs to wind up the boost.. it will still be pushing air in at 1000rpm just not as much as it would be at 3000rpm.

First thing to do.. go check your turbo pipes.

 

[sparx]

OK will check it at the weekend.

Going by the previous post by reptor245 "just check the jubilee clip on the inner wing behind the front drivers side wheel."

Is that the only place I need to look? I'm not really that hands on when it comes to cars, so please excuse my ignorance.

Thanks.

 

[Shy19s]

Just have a look around the whole engine bay, whether there is any loose pipes, if it starts somewhere it must end somewhere, no pipe should have a tear in it.. when the engine is on feel your way around the pipes feel if there is any air escaping etc..

Main turbo pipes start at your airbox, go behind the engine to the turbo, round the side to the intercooler then up to the inlet manifold.

The stalling could also relate to your dirty throttle body and MAF(mass air flow sensor), its a common problem with these cars, basically needs a good clean. out of your air intake pipes.. a bottle of injector cleaner in the tank is always useful too.

When was your last service, how old are your plugs?

 

[sparx]

OK thanks for the information, I will try my best to work it out and have a go.

Last service was about 2 weeks ago (not by Audi), and I did mention the problem to them but they said they couldn't find anthing wrong.

Plugs - I have no idea.

I will have a thorough look at the weekend and see if I can spot anything obvious.

Cheers.

 

[Shy19s]

Cool, let us know how you get on.

 

[reptor245]

OK will check it at the weekend.

Going by the previous post by reptor245 "just check the jubilee clip on the inner wing behind the front drivers side wheel."

Is that the only place I need to look? I'm not really that hands on when it comes to cars, so please excuse my ignorance.

Thanks.

alot of posts said to me to have the bonnet up and rev it to hear were the leak is. That didnt work for me so i drove with the drivers side window down and could here it really badly. Jack up the car, take off the drivers front whell and you will see the hose. Check theres no signs or air leaks. You will see clearly that the air has been escaping. there will be marks on the tube. If you cant see anything then undo the clips. make sure its on properly and re-tighten. Then id check the rest of the hoses under the bonnet. just look st the turbo and follow were the hoses go.


For me its the number 4 hoses connection as you can see from this similiar A3 diagram

 

[sparx]

Thanks reptor that's excellent information! That diagram should make it a lot easier.

I will check near the driver's wheel first as I need to take it off for another job anyway. It does sound like that's where it's coming from.

I can't believe that the garage I took it to thought there was nothing wrong - very frustrating!

 

[reptor245]

No worries m8ty. Not sure if it will cure your stalling issue but well worth sorting out the leak and seeing if thats the problem

 

[sparx]

Right, spent some time yesterday and today checking the tubing that I could see or gain access to.

The tubing next to the driver's wheel seemed to be fine, I revved the engine and checked for any air escaping but nothing. Checked all the tubes that I could see under the bonnet but got the same result.

The interesting thing is that I don't hear the same sound when the car is stationary, only when I'm driving do I hear the whooshing sound - would that indicate anything?

Also the EPC light and the Emission Control System light are both on, I don't remember seeing them before - could this be related to the stalling and whooshing sound problems?

Looks like I may have to take it to Audi and see what they make of it. Although I can't afford their prices at the moment!

Thanks again.

 

[Essflee]

judging by your sig I trust your a fan of 'last boy scout'

Have you had your car checked for fault codes ??

 

[reptor245]

Right, spent some time yesterday and today checking the tubing that I could see or gain access to.

The tubing next to the driver's wheel seemed to be fine, I revved the engine and checked for any air escaping but nothing. Checked all the tubes that I could see under the bonnet but got the same result.

The turbo is only under load and pressure when ur driving it m8. revving it up stood stil wont undercover much.

did you undo the bottom clip on the hose i mentioned and checked the hose was full onto the intercooler? its the number 2 clip.

alot of posts said to me to have the bonnet up and rev it to hear were the leak is. That didnt work for me so i drove with the drivers side window down and could here it really badly.

 

[sparx]

Have you had your car checked for fault codes ??

No, I don't know anyone with access to the software needed. That's why I will probably end up taking it to Audi and let them charge me a fortune.

My sig is just a saying I've always liked, didn't know they said it in Last Boy Scout, will have to watch it again!

The turbo is only under load and pressure when ur driving it m8. revving it up stood stil wont undercover much.

That's all I can do, I don't have access to any other equipment. Thought it might give me an idea though.

did you undo the bottom clip on the hose i mentioned and checked the hose was full onto the intercooler? its the number 2 clip.

Didn't do that but will give it a go the next time I get a chance.

To be honest, me and cars don't mix, they inevitably don't work as they should do and I end up getting ****** off and taking it to the garage for someone else to deal with.

I really am trying to take an interest in maintaining the car myself but I find no joy in it, just aggravation!

 

[reptor245]

I end up getting ****** off and taking it to the garage for someone else to deal with.

LOL yeah i no what ya mean m8ty. Thing is, you already tried that route and they couldnt find it. Will be worth checking tho. Will save you a fortune as audi dealers will rip you right off.

 

[Essflee]

Where abouts in east anglia are you ? I have a sealey code reader and I know of a gd specialist...don't go to a dealer if you can help it...

 

[S3 HODGE]

Has the car backfired atall since the proplem started? Have you looked at coilpacks? Common proplems on VAG cars.....Mine packed up on Thursday. Find someone with Vagcom because if the engine management light has came up it means that when the vagcom is plugged in it will know which coilpacks gone. Or it could be the N75 or MAF maybe? Easyer to ask a mobile VAG specilist or someone on here for vagcom.
Hope this helps....

 

[MintyS3]

Yeh could be the n75 of maf.

Best bet is to get it vag'd. That is bound to tell you something if you have the warning lights on the dash.

 

[sparx]

Thanks all,

Where abouts in east anglia are you ? I have a sealey code reader and I know of a gd specialist

I'm in Ipswich if that's any help?

Has the car backfired atall since the proplem started?

This has happened once, it was a kind of popping/banging sound and the car lost a but of power for a split second.

Yeh could be the n75 of maf.

Best bet is to get it vag'd. That is bound to tell you something if you have the warning lights on the dash.

I wish I knew what the n75 or maf were

Which leads me to ask if anyone knows a good place in and around Ipswich with Vagcom?

Many thanks again!

 

[reptor245]

I wish I knew what the n75 or maf were

http://www.ottawa-vdubbing.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8651

undo the clip were the finger is pointing to and look inside. its liek a sim card. spray some carb cleaner on it

 

[sparx]

OK, I'd have to be an idiot if I don't understand now!

Thanks for that info reptor, I will definitely have a more thorough look this weekend and hopefully have some positive results.

It's so much easier with pictures to guide you!

 

[Essflee]

Do you know where motormania is ?? There's a garage that sells cars a long that road, a Vag garage is situated behind that, you get to it via Milton street, his bin in the game for a lot of years and is a nice bloke...

I'm in the Ipswich area, if you want your codes read I could have a look...

 

[sparx]

leggy, would you adam and eve it. I take my car to the garage that's next-door to the one I think you're talking about - R&D vehicle repairs is the one I use - I've been going to them for years, before I got into Audis (so have stayed with them through loyalty).

I will have a go at sorting this myself, if I get no joy then I'll be in touch - thanks for the offer of helping me out I may take you up on it.

I really don't want to spend any more money on this car at the moment, but if I really can't fix it myself then I guess I'll have to.

 

[Essflee]

Yeah that's the place...

If you go and see him and explain you have a problem and ask if there's any chance they could read your codes I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem, he wouldn't charge ya, it's a 2 sec job, at least then you'll know what your dealing with...hopefully